Formalising information skills training within the curriculum: a research project at Southampton Solent University

In an increasingly competitive graduate market, information literacy (IL) has gained importance as students? progress through university and prepare for employment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the Information Literacy Test (ILT) developed by James Madison University (JMU). Eighty-nine, level four students from the Faculty of Business, Sport and Enterprise completed the ILT. Student impressions of the test were obtained upon completion. The mean test score was (xtextbackslashpm SD) 56 textbackslashpm 15 and 5 were areas of particular concern. Student feedback suggested question format and layout were popular, although subject specific questions were preferred. In addition the number of test questions should be reduced. Whilst the ILT was comprehensive, the format of the test and language used was possibly not conducive with UK HE institutions. Therefore the research team plan to formulate a Solent ILT based on the SCONUL seven pillars.